Biosensor cartridge and biosensor dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A compact biosensor cartridge allows biosensors to be tested one by one and protects the biosensors from moisture until they are set. A biosensor dispensing device is also disclosed. A biosensor cartridge may be installed in the dispensing device and pushing and rotating elements are both used to eject the biosensors through a sensor ejecting port in the case. The biosensors are discharged to outside the case when ejection means inside the cartridge are driven by a driving means outside the biosensor cartridge. This configuration allows the biosensor cartridge to be made smaller and thinner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a biosensor cartridge and a biosensordispensing device for storing a plurality of biosensors for measuring aspecific component in a sample and dispensing the biosensor one by one.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as various biosensors utilizing a special catalytic action ofan enzyme are being developed and being applied to the clinical field, abiosensor for rapidly and accurately testing and determining thequantity of a specific component in a sample is being put to practicaluse.

Nowadays, a number of diabetic patients are significantly increasing,and regarding glucose, for example, a very complicating procedure ofcentrifuging blood and measuring plasma as a sample are conventionallyrequired to measure and manage the blood sugar level, and thus abiosensor for measuring a whole blood is desired and is being put topractical use.

Such biosensors include that disclosed in for example, JP-A 61-294351(1986), in which a predetermined voltage is supplied to an electrodesystem of a sensor applied with the whole blood, a current value flowingbetween the electrodes is measured, a glucose concentration in a samplesolution is calculated based on the measured value, and the valuethereof is displayed on a display unit of a dedicated measuringinstrument.

A biosensor dispensing device, in which a sensor pack or a sensor bottleset with a plurality of biosensors is installed in a measuringinstrument, for dispensing the biosensors one by one is disclosed. Byvirtue of such a biosensor dispensing device, even users such asdiabetic patients that are mostly elderly are less likely to perform awrong operation such as accidentally dropping the biosensor wheninstalling, attaching in an opposite direction, or further, performingmeasurement with the device attached in the opposite direction.

The biosensor dispensing device disclosed in JP-A 8-262026 (1996)includes a substantially circular plate-shaped sensor pack 202 inside ahousing 201 formed by attaching an upper case and a lower case in afreely opening and closing manner like a bivalve shell, as shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B. The sensor pack 202 contains a blood-glucose sensorin each of a plurality of sensor holding cavities and is communicatedwith a desiccant cavity. A sliding latch 203 for operating a slidingactuator is arranged in the upper case, and by sliding the sliding latch203 with a thumb, the device can be set to a display/data processingmode or a test mode.

By, for example, arranging the sliding latch 203 to a display positionof lateral decubitus and then pushing the latch towards the front of thehousing, the device is set to the display/data processing mode, thusallowing the user to see the data displayed on a display 204 arranged inthe upper case, or besides inputting data to an electrical componentwithin the housing, to perform a command to obtain information relatedto the test being performed with a manual button 205 arranged adjacentto a data port connector on a rear part of the housing.

Alternatively, by arranging the sliding latch 203 to the test positionof lateral decubitus and then pushing the latch towards the front of thehousing, the device is set to the test mode. The biosensor is therebydischarged from one of the sensor cavity of the sensor pack 202 andpushed out from a test end 206 of the housing 201, and an electricalcontact point on the biosensor is connected to a microprocessor and/orother data processing circuit within the housing. Thus, by applying thesample such as blood to the pushed out biosensor, the user can take outthe data relating to the sample, and display the data on the display204, or can store the data for transmission to other monitoring oranalyzing apparatuses via the data port connector.

After the test is finished, the sliding latch 203 is pushed towards theback of the housing and is arranged in an original stand-by position,and the biosensor used in the test is discharged from the housing andthe sensor pack 202 is rotated so that the non-used biosensor is movedfrom the test end 206 to the push-out position.

A biosensor dispensing device disclosed in JP-A 08-285858 (1996) has asensor bottle 300 shown in FIG. 20A installed therein. In a bottle case301 of the sensor bottle 300, a plurality of biosensor storing chambers301 a, desiccant storing chambers 301 b, and flow paths 301 c forcommunicating the biosensor storing chamber 301 a and the desiccantstoring chamber 301 b are formed. An aluminum seal 302 and an aluminumseal 303 are adhered to both end faces of the bottle case 301, where onebiosensor (not shown) is stored in each biosensor storing chamber 301 aand one desiccant (not shown) is stored in each desiccant storingchamber 301 b, and the desiccant absorbs the moisture entering thebiosensor bottle 300, thus preventing a change in performance of thebiosensor.

As shown in FIG. 20B, when the biosensor bottle 300 is installed in thebiosensor dispensing device including a rotating shaft 305 and a pushingshaft 306, a biosensor bottle driving motor is activated, thus rotatingthe rotating shaft 305 in one direction and setting the biosensor bottle300 to an initial position. The rotation of the rotating shaft 305 isperformed while checking the position thereof with a photo-sensor (notshown).

When a measuring button (not shown) is pressed, a pushing shaft drivingmotor is activated, thus sliding the pushing shaft 306 to the left,which pushing shaft 306 then breaks through the aluminum seal 303 andpushes the biosensor 304. The pushed biosensor 304 breaks through thealuminum seal 302 and moves to a predetermined position and is thenmeasured.

When the measuring button is pushed again after the measurement isfinished, the pushing shaft driving motor is activated, thus sliding thepushing shaft 306 slightly towards the left and discharges the biosensor304 out of the device. The pushing shaft driving motor is thereafterreversed, thus sliding the pushing shaft 306 to the right and returnsthe shaft to its initial position. The biosensor bottle driving motor isthen activated, thus rotating the biosensor bottle 300 to a position atwhich a next biosensor 304 can be pushed out.

However, in the biosensor dispensing device disclosed in JP-A 8-262026(1996), since the user must grip and take out the biosensor held at thetest end 206 each time the test is finished and, since samples such asblood are applied to the used biosensor, the biosensor is, in thepresent state, held with for example, a paper and thus is not onlycomplicating, but hygienic problems arise.

Further, since the sensor pack 202 can be loaded to an arbitraryposition with respect to the housing 201, an incorrect loading sometimesoccurs. That is, when the sensor pack 202 currently being used is takenout for some reasons and a new biosensor is loaded, the sensor pack 202is sometimes loaded with the sensor holding cavity not containing thebiosensor corresponding to the test end 206. In such a case as well, thedevice starts the operation without recognizing the incorrect loading,and thus the user performs the latch operation a number of timesunnecessarily.

Moreover, when setting the device to the display/data processing mode orthe test mode, the sliding latch 203 is sled in two-steps, as mentionedabove, and thus wrong operation may occur, which is very inconvenientfor the user. A cutter (not shown) for discharging the biosensor in thesensor pack 202 is arranged in the housing 201, and thus the user mayhurt oneself when loading.

In the biosensor dispensing device disclosed in JP-A 08-285858 (1996), aplurality of sets each including the biosensor storing chamber 301 a forstoring one biosensor 304, the desiccant storing chamber 301 b forstoring one desiccant, and the flow path 301 c for communicating bothchambers, are formed around a center through-hole 301 f, and thus thethickness of the biosensor bottle 300 becomes thick even if the numberof biosensors 304 stored is few, and the dispensing device including thebiosensor bottle 300 can not be made thin.

To appropriately push out and set the biosensor 304 from the biosensorbottle 300 installed in the device, an accuracy of position between thebiosensor bottle 300 and the biosensor dispensing device must be setvery severely.

When, after removing the biosensor 300 from the device, reloading thebiosensor 300 and using such a biosensor, the biosensor bottle 300 isset to the initial position, and thus a setting operation of thebiosensor 304 must be sequentially performed from a first biosensorstoring chamber 301 a, corresponding to the initial position, a secondbiosensor storing chamber 301 a and so on, which in practice, produces awasteful time until the biosensor 304 is pushed out and set.

Further, since the aluminum sheets 302, 303 are adhered to the end facesof the biosensor bottle 300, there is a danger that the aluminum sheets302, 303 may be damaged during handling. On the other hand, thebiosensor 304 must be able to easily break through the aluminum sheet302 and be taken out. To this end, a distal end 304 a of the biosensor304 is pointed, and thus when applying the blood, the user may touch theedge thereof and feel pain. The distal end 304 of the biosensor 304 maybe a square even if it is hard to break through the aluminum sheet 302,but a point to where the blood should be applied is hard to recognizewith a square, and thus is inconvenient.

The present invention aims to provide, in order to solve the aboveproblems, a compact biosensor cartridge and a biosensor dispensingdevice in which biosensors can be set with a simple operation so thatthey can be tested one by one, and are protected from moisture untilthey are set.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in order to solve the above mentionedproblems, a biosensor cartridge for storing a plurality of biosensor ina case and a biosensor dispensing device including the biosensorcartridge, thus sequentially sending out the biosensor with a simplemanual operation by a button or a lever and setting the biosensor to apredetermined test position, thus allowing an easy replacement of thebiosensor cartridge.

That is, the biosensor cartridge of the present invention is a biosensorcartridge for storing a plurality of biosensors within a case in astacked manner, and including sensor send-out means for sending out thebiosensor in the case one by one and discharging the biosensor from asensor ejecting port opened at the case. Thus, by driving the sensorsend-out means with an external sensor sending out mechanism, thebiosensor can be discharged out of the case and the biosensor cartridgecan be made smaller and thinner.

The biosensor cartridge of the present invention has the followingconfigurations for examples.

The sensor send-out means includes a cylindrical rotating member rotatedby an external sensor sending out mechanism, and a sliding member,engaged so as to be slidable with respect to the rotating member, forsliding with the rotation of the rotating member and pushing a rear endof the biosensor at the bottom layer. Thus, the sliding member directlysends out the biosensor and the load on the biosensor becomes small.Further, a complicating mechanism for discarding the used biosensorbecomes unnecessary.

A spiral groove for engaging the sliding member is formed at acylindrical surface of the rotating member. Thus, as the sliding memberslides in the axial direction of the rotating member, the occupyingsurface area occupied by such members in the case is small, and thebiosensor cartridge is made more compact.

The spiral groove is formed over a range of equal to or greater than360° around a rotating shaft of the rotating member. Thus the play andthe shift of the rotating member and the sliding member are absorbed,and the biosensor is reliably moved to a predetermined position.

A sealing member for sealing an opening formed in the case forsupporting the rotating member is formed at an end part of the rotatingmember. Thus, the biosensors within the case are reliably blocked fromthe outside air which may cause deterioration.

The case is partitioned to a biosensor storing chamber for storing theplurality of biosensors in a stacked manner, and a sliding memberhousing chamber for housing the sliding member resting at an initialposition, at where the rear end of the biosensor in the biosensorstoring chamber can be pushed, with a partition wall including anopening having a narrower width than the biosensor. Thus, the biosensoris not pulled in by friction when the sliding member returns to thesliding member storing chamber, and the successive sliding operation ofthe sliding member is not impeded, and the reliability of sending outthe biosensor becomes high.

The opening of the partition wall is set to a width so that a projectionformed on the sliding member is able to pass through to push the rearend of the biosensor at the bottom layer. Thus, the sliding member isexited without changing the position and the direction thereof, and asimple mechanism can be used.

A concave part corresponding to an outer shape of valve means foropening/closing the sensor ejecting port is provided on an exteriorsurface of the case including the sensor ejecting port. Thus, bysecurely positioning the valve means to the concave part, the sensorejecting port can be closed.

The sensor send-out means includes a sliding member sled by an externalsensor sending out mechanism to push a rear end of the biosensor at thebottom layer. Thus, the sliding member directly sends out the biosensor,and the load on the biosensor becomes small. Further, a complicatingmechanism for discarding the used biosensor becomes unnecessary.

A seal plate for opening/closing the sensor ejecting port insynchronization with a sensor discharging operation by the slidingmember is provided. Thus, the case is shut out from outside air when thesensor discharging operation is not being performed.

For example, the seal plate is opened by the sliding member.

A spring member for pressing the seal plate towards the sensor ejectingport is provided, where the sliding member is arranged under thebiosensor closer to the sensor ejecting port than the front end of thebiosensor when the sliding member is at an initial position at where therear end of the biosensor at the bottom layer can be pushed, guides thebiosensor towards the sensor ejecting port during the sensor dischargingoperation and includes a projection for moving the seal plate against aspring member. Thus, when sending out the biosensor, the front endthereof is protected by the projection. Further, the shape of thebiosensor can be freely determined, for example, the front end of thebiosensor may be rounded.

The seal plate includes an elastic sealing member pressure weldingagainst an exterior surface of the case around the sensor ejecting port.Thus, sealability enhances when the seal plate closes the sensorejecting port.

A small projection to which the elastic sealing member is pressurewelded at an exterior surface of the case around the sensor ejectingport is provided. Thus, pressure welding against the exterior surface ofthe case of the elastic sealing member is ensured.

A sealing member for sealing an opening formed in the case for anexternal sensor sending out mechanism coupled to the sliding member whenthe sliding member is at the initial position at where the rear end ofthe biosensor can be pushed is provided. Thus, sealability of thebiosensor cartridge when the sensor discharging operation is not beingperformed is enhanced.

Returning means for returning the sliding member to the initial positionat where the rear end of the biosensor can be pushed is provided. Thus,the sliding member can be sled in a direction to discharge the biosensorimmediately after discharging the biosensor, or immediately afterinstalling the biosensor cartridge in the biosensor dispensing device,thus eliminating the wasteful time.

The sliding member includes a projection arranged under the biosensorwhen at the initial position at where the rear end of the biosensor canbe pushed. Thus, with the sliding member returned to the initialposition after the sensor discharging operation, the sending out of thenext biosensor can be reliably performed.

The case is partitioned to a biosensor storing chamber for storing theplurality of biosensors in a stacked manner and a desiccant storingchamber for storing a desiccant with a partition wall, and formed withan air flow path communicating between both storing chambers. Thus, aplurality of biosensors and desiccants are stored in a narrow space, andthe biosensor can be prevented from moisture.

A partition wall is provided in the desiccant storing chamber, an airflow path connected to the air flow path communicating to the biosensorstoring chamber is formed, and the desiccants are stored along the airflow path. Thus, the drying effect of the desiccant is substantiallyequally exhibited over a long period of time.

The desiccant is molded as a single body or is divided into a pluralityof parts so as to correspond to the shape of the air flow path in thedesiccant storing chamber. Thus storing and handling of desiccants arefacilitated during assembling of the biosensor cartridge.

A hold-down plate arranged on the biosensor so as to slidably contactthe interior surface of the case along a stacked direction of thebiosensor, and an elastic body for holding down the biosensor in thestacked direction by way of the hold-down plate are provided. Thus, evenif there is an impact and the like from outside the case, the stackedstate of the biosensor is satisfactorily maintained and the rear end ofthe biosensor is pushed with an equal and stable force.

The biosensor has a step-shape in which a thickness is large at a frontend and small at a rear end, and the sliding member for pushing the rearend of the biosensor includes a concave part for holding the rear endhaving a small thickness. Thus, the biosensor can be reliably sent out.

The biosensor has a step-shape in which a thickness is large at a frontend and small at a rear end, and the elastic body for holding down thebiosensor through the hold-down plate is arranged on a back surface ofthe hold-down plate at a portion corresponding to the front end regionhaving a large thickness. Thus, a pressure can be equally applied in awell balanced state to the stacked biosensors.

The biosensor dispensing device of the present invention includes acartridge storing chamber detachably holding a biosensor cartridge forstoring a plurality of biosensors in a case in a stacked manner andincluding sensor send-out means for sending out the biosensor in thecase one by one and discharging the biosensor from a sensor ejectingport opened at the case, a sensor sending out mechanism for driving thesensor send-out means in the biosensor cartridge, and a sensor conveyingmechanism for conveying the biosensor discharged from the sensorejecting port by the sensor send-out means to a predetermined testposition at where a sample can be applied, inside a body, and anoperating part for turning the sensor sending out mechanism ON and OFFoutside the body in an exposed manner. Thus, by simply operating theoperating part, the biosensor is sequentially arranged at the testposition, and a plurality of test can be reliably and continuouslyperformed.

The biosensor dispensing device has the following configurations, forexample.

A display unit for acquiring electrical data from the biosensor conveyedto the test position through the electrical circuit within the body, anddisplaying the data is provided on an exterior surface of the body.Thus, the test result of the biosensor conveyed to the test position canbe readily recognized.

Sensor conducting means for pressing and holding the biosensor conveyedto the test position and conducting the biosensor to an electricalcircuit within the body is provided. Thus, the biosensor conveyed to thetest position is held at such position, and is set to an electricallyconductive state.

The cartridge storing chamber can hold the biosensor cartridge includinga cylindrical rotating member and a sliding member sliding with therotation of the rotating member to push the rear end of the biosensor assensor send-out means, the sensor sending out mechanism includesrotating means for rotating the rotating member of the biosensorcartridge, and the operating part is configured so as to move the sensorsending out mechanism with a forefinger while gripping the body with onehand. Thus, by simply operating the operating part while holding thebody with one hand, the biosensor can be arranged at the test position,and a plurality of tests can be reliably and continuously performed.

The operating part freely exits from the body, and when pushed into thebody, operates the sensor sending out mechanism. Thus, the operation ofthe operating part to arrange the biosensor at the test position can bereliably performed.

The sensor sending out mechanism drives the sensor send-out means todischarge the biosensor in a direction opposite the direction of pushingin the operating part. Thus, the width of the device can be set small.

Valve means for opening/closing the sensor ejecting port opened at thecase of the biosensor cartridge is provided. Thus, the sensor ejectingport is opened only when necessary, thereby preventing deterioration ofthe non-used biosensors in the case.

The valve means is a roller rolling over the exterior surface of thecase including the sensor ejecting port. Thus, the sensor ejecting portis reliably opened/closed without impeding the operations of forexample, the sensor send-out means.

The sensor conducting means and the valve means are gear-coupled to thesensor sending out mechanism. Thus, by operating the operating partwithout the user paying particular attention, a series of operations ofdischarging the biosensor in the biosensor cartridge from the sensorejecting port and arranging the biosensor at the test position whileopening/closing the sensor ejecting port as appropriate, holding thebiosensor arranged at the test position at such position, and setting toan electrically conductive state can be easily and reliably performed.Therefore, mistaken discharge of the biosensor or careless exposition ofthe inside of the biosensor cartridge to the atmosphere can beprevented.

For example, each link member supporting the sensor conducting means andthe valve means each on one end is axially supported on the body, and acam for holding and turning the other end of each link member isprovided on the operating part.

With one operation of the operating part, the biosensor is conveyed tothe test position, is conducted to the electrical circuit within thebody, and set to a test state. Thus, an unnecessary operation iseliminated and the biosensor can be reliably set.

A power source of the body is driven when the biosensor is set to thetest state. Thus, at the start of the test of applying a sample to thebiosensor, an electrical signal can be acquired from the biosensor, andthus the test can be smoothly performed.

The biosensor at the test position is discharged out of the body withthe operation of the operating part after the biosensor is set to thetest state. Thus, when setting a new biosensor to a test state by theoperating part or to a stand-by state for setting, the used biosensor isautomatically discharged, and a plurality of tests can be smoothlyperformed.

A cartridge holding mechanism for unremovably holding the biosensorcartridge is provided. Thus, careless removal of the cartridge duringthe operation is prevented.

The cartridge holding mechanism is gear-coupled to the operating part.Thus, the cartridge holding mechanism can be reliably operated withoutusing a special electrical engine.

Detection means for detecting the return of the operating part to theinitial position is provided. Thus, the position of the operating partis reliably detected, thus preventing the breakdown of the device.

The detection means recognizes a contact with a member configuring onepart of the operating part. Thus, the position of the operating part canbe detected using the members equipped in the operating part.

The sensor sending out mechanism includes connection switching means forconnecting or releasing connection with respect to the sensor send-outmeans of the biosensor cartridge in cooperation with the opening/closingoperation of a lid body that opens/closes the cartridge storing chamberwhen attaching and detaching the biosensor cartridge. Thus, with theopening of the lid body prior to removing the biosensor cartridge,connection is automatically released, and does not become a hindrance tothe removing operation and the handling thereof is improved. Afterinstalling the biosensor cartridge, connection is automatically madewith the closing of the lid body, and the biosensor in the cartridge canbe efficiently discharged.

A nail member is provided on the operating part in an oscillatingmanner, a sliding path on which a distal end of the nail member slidesis formed in an inner wall of the body, and a saw-blade concavo-convexpart for locking the distal end of the nail member and position fixingthe operating part when the operation of the operating part is stoppedis arranged on the sliding path. Thus, even if the operation of theoperating part is interrupted, the setting operating can be continuedwithout the operating part returning to the initial position. Therefore,trapping of the biosensor is avoided.

The sliding path is configured in a loop-form by arranging, in series,an outward path on which the distal end of the nail member slides whenthe operating part is pushed in and a homeward path on which the distalend of the nail member slides when the operating part returns to theinitial position, and the saw-blade concavo-convex part is arranged onthe outward path. Thus, the movement of the operating part can bereliably controlled, and a mechanism for holding the operating part at aseries of positions can be made small.

A latch mechanism for locking the operating part at a position at wherethe biosensor is set to the test state with respect to the body isprovided. Thus, by holding the position of the operating part, thebiosensor can be held at the set state, and the test operation can beeasily and stably performed.

For the latch mechanism, a latch projection is provided on the operatingpart and a latch body part for locking the latch projection is providedin the body. Thus, the latch mechanism can be obtained with a simplemember.

The cartridge storing chamber can hold the biosensor cartridge includinga sliding member for pushing the rear end of the biosensor as the sensorsend-out means, the sensor sending out mechanism includes a pushingmember for pushing and sliding the sliding member of the biosensorcartridge, and the operating part is configured so as to electricallyoperate the sensor sending out mechanism. Thus, by simply operating theoperating part, the biosensor can be arranged at the test position, andthe test can be reliably and continuously performed over a number oftimes.

The seal plate for opening/closing the sensor ejecting port of thebiosensor cartridge is configured to open only when discharging thebiosensor. Thus, the flow-in time of the outside air into the biosensorcartridge becomes extremely short.

The pushing member of the sensor sending out mechanism is provided so asto freely exit towards the sliding member of the biosensor cartridge anddetection means for detecting an operation stroke of the pushing memberis provided. Thus, while detecting operation stroke of the pushingmember with the detection means, the pushing member can be accuratelyarranged between the push-in position at where the biosensor is arrangedat a predetermined test position and the initial position.

Detection means for detecting a position of the biosensor conveyed to apredetermined test position by the sensor conveying mechanism isprovided. Thus, the biosensor can be accurately arranged at the testposition.

The sensor sending out mechanism and the sensor conveying mechanism areindependently operable. Thus, a highly reliable dispensing device isconfigured with a simple configuration, and the operating time can beshortened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biosensor dispensing device accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the biosensor dispensing device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a biosensor dispensed from the biosensordispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a biosensor cartridge loaded in thebiosensor dispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating an operation of a sensorsending out mechanism for sending out the biosensor from the biosensorcartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view illustrating an operation of asealing mechanism for sealing the biosensor cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sealing mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view illustrating an operation of anelectrically conducting mechanism for electrically conducting thebiosensor discharged from the biosensor cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electrically conducting mechanism ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a longitudinal sectional view of the biosensor cartridge ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a pushing rotating member provided ata lower part of the biosensor cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a set state of the biosensorin the biosensor dispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12A is a side view of a holding mechanism for holding an operatingmeans of the biosensor dispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12B is a rear view of the holding mechanism;

FIG. 12C is a plan view of the holding mechanism;

FIG. 13A is an external view of a biosensor dispensing device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is an interior view of the biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a side cross sectional view of a biosensor cartridge loadedin the biosensor dispensing device of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14B is an end cross sectional view of a biosensor cartridge loadedin the biosensor dispensing device of FIG. 13:

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a sealing plate provided in thebiosensor cartridge of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15B is a partial perspective view of a slider member provided inthe biosensor cartridge of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16A is a partial sectional view illustrating a first state ofoperation of a sensor sending out mechanism of the biosensor dispensingdevice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16B is a partial sectional view illustrating a second state ofoperation of a sensor sending out mechanism of the biosensor dispensingdevice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17A is a partial sectional view illustrating a first state ofoperation of a sensor conveying mechanism of the biosensor dispensingdevice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17B is a partial sectional view illustrating a second state ofoperation of a sensor conveying mechanism of the biosensor dispensingdevice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a timing chart of the biosensor dispensing device of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19A is an external perspective view of a conventional biosensordispensing device;

FIG. 19B is an interior view of the conventional biosensor dispensingdevice;

FIG. 20A is an exploded perspective view of a sensor bottle of theconventional biosensor dispensing device; and

FIG. 20B is a partial side view of the conventional biosensor dispensingdevice.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

A biosensor dispensing device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.This biosensor dispensing device is used in, for example, blood-glucosemeasurement.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the biosensor dispensing device 1 includes asubstantially rectangular body 4 configured with a body upper case 2 anda body lower case 3 arranged facing each other, and a biosensorcartridge 6 can be stored in a cartridge storing chamber 5 in thevicinity of an opening opened on one side of the body 4. A biosensorsending out mechanism A for sending out the biosensor from the biosensorcartridge 6 and a biosensor conveying mechanism B for conveying thebiosensor discharged from the biosensor cartridge 6 to a predeterminedtest position are arranged on both sides of the cartridge storingchamber 5.

The opening of the body 4 is opened and closed with a cartridge loadingcover 7 rotatably attached about a shaft center of a shaft 4 a. A coverhook 8 for locking the cartridge loading cover 7 to the body 4, and apressing spring 9 for pressing the biosensor cartridge 6 towards a rib(not shown) of an interior surface of the body supporting a bottom ofthe biosensor cartridge 6 are provided on the interior surface of thecartridge loading cover 7. The following explanation is given with theshown direction as the vertical direction.

A sensor guide 11 for guiding the biosensor 10 discharged from thebiosensor cartridge 6 to the test position is provided on the upper side(substantially the half closer to the opening) and the side part (e.g.,left side in the direction with the body upper case 2 arranged in thenear side) of the body 4.

The lower part (substantially the half distant from the opening) of thebody 4 has a dimension set so as to serve as a grip 12 for the user, andhas a somewhat narrower width than the upper part of the body 4. One endof a columnar operating actuator 13 for sending out the biosensor 10 isprojected from the upper part and the side part (left side, similar tothe sensor guide 11) of the grip 12.

A printed wiring board 14 formed with a signal processing circuit and acontrol circuit, battery electrodes 15, 16, and a battery 17 arearranged inside the grip 12, and a display screen 18 of a liquid crystaldisplay unit and an operating button 19 for displaying the informationto be displayed on the display screen 18 or inputting information to thecircuit on the printed wiring board in accordance with the display ofthe display screen 18 are arranged on an exterior surface of the grip12. A microprocessor (not shown) and the like for processing, storingand/or displaying on the display screen 18 the data generated during thetest operation is also provided in the circuit on the printed wiringboard 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the biosensor 10 is configured by stacking a shortupper layer sheet 20 a with one rounded end and a long under layer sheet20 b made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the like, thusincluding a step 20, a reagent part 21 (or a biological sensing part)containing enzyme is arranged in the vicinity of the above-mentioned oneend, where the above-mentioned one end communicating to the reagent part21 by means of a capillary tube serves as an applying part 22, and anelectrode 23 extending to the reagent part 21 is provided on an exposedsurface of the under layer sheet 20 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, with regards to the biosensor cartridge 6, abiosensor ejecting port 26 is formed at the lower part of the cartridgecase 25, and a biosensor storing chamber 27 facing the biosensorejecting port 26 is partitioned by a partition wall 27 a in the verticaldirection. The cartridge case 25 is configured by arranging a cartridgeupper case and a cartridge lower case so as to face each other, and ismade of a material which practically does not have water permeability,for example, PP, with a wall thickness of equal to or greater than 1 mm,thus ensuring water-proof property of the biosensor cartridge 6.

A plurality of biosensors 10 are stacked inside the biosensor storingchamber 27, a hold-down plate 28 is arranged on the stacked biosensor10, and a sensor pressing spring 29 is arranged between the hold-downplate 28 and a roof surface of the cartridge case 25. Ribs 28 a, 25 aare formed at the roof surface of the hold-down plate 28 and thecartridge case 25 so as to surround the sensor pressing spring 29 and soas to slidably contact each other, and the hold-down plate 28 is pressedby the sensor pressing spring 29 and is guided by the ribs 28 a, 25 a,thus holding down the biosensor 10 in the stacked direction. Theposition of the sensor pressing spring 29 is a position corresponding toan upper layer sheet of the biosensor 10.

A pushing member 31 for pushing the biosensor 10 at the bottom layertowards the biosensor ejecting port 26 is housed inside a pushing memberhousing chamber 30 communicating with the biosensor storing chamber 27at an opening at a lower end of the partition wall 27 a.

The biosensor storing chamber 27 has a sealed configuration, to behereinafter described, and is communicated to a desiccant chamber 33filled with desiccants 32 at an opening at an upper end of the partitionwall 27 a, thus maintaining each biosensor 10 in a dry state.

A cylindrical pushing rotating member 34 for operating the pushingmember 31 is housed at the bottom part of the cartridge case 25. Thepushing rotating member 34 is supported in a freely rotating manner tothe cartridge case 25 at a supporting part formed in a projecting manneron both ends, and includes a spiral groove 36 with which an engagingprojection 35 formed at a lower surface of the pushing member 31slidably engages.

The supporting part of one end of the pushing rotating member 34 passesthrough the cartridge case 25 and includes a concave drive-coupling part37 for transferring rotation-drive from the outside to the pushingrotating member 34, and outer packages a ring-shaped packing 38 forsealing the pass-through portion of the cartridge case 25.

As shown in FIG. 5, a third driving gear 40 having a drive-transferringpin 39 that fits into the drive-coupling part 37 of the pushing rotatingmember 34 on one end, a gear thrust spring 41 for biasing the thirddriving gear 40 towards the biosensor cartridge 6, and a gear slidelever 42 for moving the third driving gear 40 away from the biosensorcartridge 6 against the gear thrust spring 41 are arranged in thevicinity of the cartridge case 25. The gear slide lever 42 is freelyrotatable about a shaft 42 a with an operating projection 7 a projectedfrom the cartridge loading cover 7.

In a state in which the cartridge loaded cover 7 is closed, the thirddriving gear 40 approaches the biosensor cartridge 6 with a bias forceof the gear thrust spring 41 and the drive transferring pin 39 iscoupled to the drive-coupling part 37. When the third driving gear 40 isrotated in this state, the pushing rotating member 34 coupled to thethird driving gear 40 through the drive transferring pin 39 and thedrive-coupling part 37 is rotated, and the pushing member 31 engagedwith the spiral groove 36 of the pushing rotating member 34 with theengaging projection 35 is exited. When opening the cartridge loadedcover 7, the operating projection 7 a rotates the gear slide lever 42 ina counterclockwise direction, which gear slide lever 42 moves the thirddriving gear 40 in a direction away from the biosensor cartridge 6, thusreleasing the coupling of the drive transferring pin 39 and thedrive-coupling part 37.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a sealing roller 43 for sealing the biosensorejecting port 26 is arranged in the vicinity of the biosensor cartridge6.

A sealing roller supporting link 44 supporting the sealing roller 43 onone end is made of two members, is attached to the operating actuator 13at the other end, and a sealing roller pressurizing spring 46 forapplying, to the sealing roller 43, a pressure welding force actingtowards the biosensor ejecting port 26 is arranged at the coupling part.

The sealing roller pressurizing spring 46 is set to a load that does notinhibit operability when, for example, installing the biosensorcartridge 6 to the body 4, or set to, for example, a load equal to orless than 1 to 2 N (about 100 to 200 gf). With regards to the sealingroller 43, an elastic body or an elastomer such as silicon rubber, NBR(nitrile rubber) or EPDM (ethylene propylene copolymer), a materialhaving a low compressive residual strain is used for the surface, andthus adaptation and adhesiveness to the biosensor cartridge 6 made offor example, PP, as mentioned above is ensured.

A surface region of the cartridge case 25 including the biosensorejecting port 26 is formed in a concave shape along the line of an outershape of the sealing roller 43 so as to increase a contacting surface ofthe sealing roller 43.

As shown with a solid line, when the sealing roller supporting link 44is in an extended state, the sealing roller 43 is pressure welded to thebiosensor ejecting port 26 with the help of the operation of the sealingroller pressurizing spring 46, thus sealing the biosensor ejecting port26. When the other end of the sealing roller supporting link 44 is movedfrom this state, as shown with a broken line, the sealing rollersupporting link 44 is bent, thereby moving the sealing roller 43 awayfrom the biosensor ejecting port 26, and the biosensor 10 can then besent out. During the sending-out of the biosensor 10 of when the sealingroller 43 is moved away from the biosensor ejecting port 26, thebiosensor storing chamber 38 is exposed to the atmosphere, but thenon-used biosensor 10 therein is exposed to the atmosphere only for ashort time and thus there is no great influence on the dry state.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an electrode arm 48, attached to an electrodearm rotation operating part 49, for supplying voltage to the electrodepart 23 of the biosensor 10 discharged to the sensor guide 11 isarranged in the vicinity of the sensor guide 11. The electrode armrotation operating part 49 is attached to one end of an electrode armrotation link 50, and the electrode arm rotation operating part 49 isrotated with the movement of the other end of the electrode arm rotationlink 50, thus arranging the electrode arm 48 between a position distantfrom the biosensor 10, as shown with a solid line, and a positionpressure welded to the electrode part 23 of the biosensor 10, as shownwith a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a wrong-installation preventing member 51,engaging with a concavo-convex part 4 b provided at an inner wall of thebody 4, is arranged on an exterior surface of the cartridge case 25 toprevent wrong installation to the cartridge storing chamber 5. A sensorreturn rib 52 contacting the end faces of the stacked biosensors 10 anda sensor receiving rib 53, including a pushing member guiding groove 53a for guiding the movement of the pushing member 31 at the center, forreceiving the bottom layer biosensor 10 are formed at the interiorsurface of the cartridge case 25.

A gap Wb between the sensor return ribs 52 is set so as to be greaterthan the width Wc of the projection 31 a of the pushing member 31 andsmaller than the width Wa of the biosensor 10, and thus does not inhibitthe sliding operation of the pushing member 31 of when pushing thebiosensor 10. Further, after the pushing operation is finished, thebiosensor 10 does not enter the pushing member storing chamber 30 duringthe returning operation in which the pushing member 31 returns to theinitial position or when carrying the biosensor dispensing device 1. Theheight H of the projection 31 a of the pushing member 31 is set smallerthan the thickness of one biosensor 10 so that one stacked biosensor 10at the bottom layer is reliably pushed out.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the spiral groove 36 of the cylindrical surface ofthe pushing rotating member 34 with which the engaging projection 35 ofthe pushing member 31 engages is formed in a range of equal to orgreater than 360 degrees around the shaft center in a directionencircling the shaft center, and both end portions of the spiral groove36 are formed to a predetermined length in a direction orthogonal to theshaft center (circumferential direction), and thus absorbs plays andshifts of the pushing rotating member 34 or the pushing member 31, andmoves the pushing member 31 by a distance that reliably arranges thebiosensor 10 at the predetermined position.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the third driving gear 40 for rotating thepushing rotating member 34 is coupled to a rack 56 integrally formed onthe operating actuator 13 through a second driving gear 54 and a firstdriving gear 55, and the direction of pushing the biosensor 10 isreversed 180 degrees with respect to the sliding direction of theoperating actuator 13. The dimension of the width of the device isthereby suppressed.

The pushing member 31, the biosensor 10 at the bottom layer, and theelectrode arm 48 are positionally set so as to be substantiallycollinear, and the operations of pushing to setting to the test positionof the biosensor 10 are performed continuously with the movement of theoperating actuator 13.

The electrode arm rotation link 50 for rotating the electrode arm 48 isdriven by starting a contact with the electrode rotation link follower50 a by an electrode arm rotation link cam 58 from a predeterminedposition.

The sealing roller supporting link 44 with the sealing roller 43attached to one end thereof is held by a sealing roller supporting cam57 of the operating actuator 13 with a sealing roller supporting linkfollower 44 a attached to the other end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 11, an electrode arm rotation spring 59 for rotatingthe electrode arm rotation operating part 49 in a direction to push theelectrode arm 48 downwards is attached to the electrode arm rotationoperating part 49 attached with the electrode 48. With regards to thesensor guide 11, a biosensor receiving rib 60 is provided at the bottom,and a sensor return stopper 61 made of an elastic material such as aresin spring for stopping the return of the biosensor 10 is provided atthe roof in a diagonally downward direction.

Therefore, the biosensor 10 discharged to the sensor guide 11 slides inthe shaft direction until the step 20 passes through the sensor returnstopper 61, and the electrode part 23 is pushed by the electrode arm 48.The electrode arm 48 rotates about the shaft of the electrode armrotation operating part 49 while pushing the electrode part 23, and thusdraws back the biosensor 10. However, since the biosensor return stopper61 contacts the step 20 of the biosensor 10 and stops the return of thebiosensor, the biosensor 10 is reliably set to the test position atwhere the front end thereof projects out of the body 4 by apredetermined amount.

Referring again to FIG. 2, an operating actuator fixing pin 62 capableof engaging with a concave part 13 a formed on the upper surface of oneend of the operating actuator 13 is coupled to a lock button 63 arrangedon the exterior surface of the body 4, and by sliding the lock button 63downwards, the operating actuator fixing pin 60 is engaged with theconcave part 13 a, thereby locking the operating actuator 13.

A lock coupling rod 64 capable of pressing the cover hook 8 of thecartridge loaded cover 7 is integrally formed at the lock button 63, andby sliding the lock button 63 upwards, the lock coupling rod 64 israised thus pressing and engaging the cover hook 8 to a hole 4 c formedin the body 4, thereby locking the cartridge loaded cover 7 so as not toturn with respect to the body 4.

A sequence of operations of the biosensor dispensing device 1 will nowbe described.

The biosensor cartridge 6 is loaded in the body 4, the cartridge loadedcover 7 is closed, and the lock button 63 is sled upwards. The operatingactuator fixing pin 62 is thereby raised and the operating actuator 13is lock released, and the lock coupling rod 64 is raised thus pushingthe distal end of the cover hook 8 of the cartridge loaded cover 7, andlocking the cartridge loaded cover 7 with respect to the body 4.

Subsequently, the operating actuator 13 is pushed into the body 4. Thesealing roller supporting link follower 44 a is thereby sled on thesealing roller supporting link cam 57 of the operating actuator 13, andthe sealing roller 43 at one end of the sealing roller supporting link44 is rolled and moved over the surface of the biosensor cartridge 6,thus releasing the sealing of the biosensor ejecting port 26.

Further, the first driving gear 55 engaged with the rack 56 of theoperating actuator 13 is rotated, which rotation is transferred to thesecond driving gear 54, then to the third driving gear 40, thus rotatingthe pushing rotating member 34 coupled to the drive transferring pin 39of the third driving gear 40 with the drive-coupling part 37, andsliding the pushing member 31 engaged with the pushing rotating member34.

The biosensor 10 at the bottom layer is then pushed, ejected from thebiosensor ejecting port 26 and discharged to the sensor guide 11, andthe applying part 22 of the front end is arranged at the test positionexteriorly exposed. Here, when the biosensor 10 contacts a detectionswitch 11 a provided in the sensor guide 11, the power source of thebiosensor dispensing device 1 is turned ON and the biosensor dispensingdevice 1 is set to the test mode.

The electrode arm rotation link 50 coupled to the electrode arm rotationlink cam 58 of the operating actuator 13 by way of the electrode armrotation link follower 50 a is pulled, causing the electrode armrotation operating part 49 at one end thereof to rotate, therebyrotating the electrode arm 48 and electrically contacting the electrodepart 23 of the biosensor 10 and pressing and holding the biosensor 10.

When a fluid (e.g., blood accumulated at the finger after puncturing thefinger of a human being) is applied to the applying part 22 of thebiosensor 10, a portion of the fluid is drawn into the capillary tubeextending from the applying part 22 to the reagent part 21, and thefluid of an amount sufficient for testing is drawn into the reagent part21. As a result of a chemical reaction of the blood-glucose or ameasurement object component in the fluid and a reagent, an electricalsignal corresponding to the blood-glucose level is sent to the printedwiring board 14 through the electrode part 23 and the electrode arm 48,and is for example, processed and stored in the circuit.

Since the biosensor dispensing device 1 is activated to the display modewhen the biosensor 10 is arranged at the test position, the informationrelated to the biosensor cartridge 6 and the performed test is displayedon the display screen 18 with the operation button 19. The informationcan also be input to the circuit of the printed wiring board 14 inaccordance with the display of the display screen 18.

Here, the operating actuator 13 is attached so that one end thereofprojects from the side of the body 4, and thus when gripping the grip 12and operating the operating actuator 13 (especially with a right hand),the visibility of the display screen 18 is not blocked.

After the test is finished, and acquiring of information or inputting ofdata is completed, the operating actuator 13 is further pushed into thebody 4, thus causing the electrode arm rotation link 50 coupled to theelectrode arm rotation link cam 58 of the operating actuator 13 by wayof the electrode arm rotation link follower 50 a to be pulled and theelectrode arm rotation operating part 49 of one end thereof to berotated, which causes the electrode arm 48 to be rotated and thereturning operation thereof allows the biosensor 10 to be discharged outof the body 4. The pushing member 31 is then returned to the initialposition, and the biosensor dispensing device 1 is set to the OFF or thestand-by state.

The operating actuator 13 will now be described in detail.

As described above, by operating the operating actuator 13, a series ofoperation is output from the rack 56, the electrode arm rotation linkcam 58 and the sealing roller supporting link cam 57 integrally formedwith the operating actuator 13 to set and discharge the biosensor 10.

To this end, a latch projection 65 is formed at the operating actuator13, and a latch body 66 for engaging the latch projection 65 is providedat the body 4, and a return spring 67 for returning the operatingactuator 13 to the initial position is provided.

Therefore, when the operating actuator 13 is pushed into the body 4 toits maximum, the latch projection 65 and the latch body 66 are engaged,and the operating actuator 13 is fixed. When the operating actuator 13is further pushed into the body 4 after the test is finished, theengagement of the latch projection 65 and the latch body 66 is released,and the operating actuator 13 is returned to the initial position withthe return spring 67.

When the push-in operation of the operating actuator 13 is interrupted,if the operation to return the sealing roller 43 to the sealing positionis performed with the biosensor 10 halfway out of the biosensor ejectingport 26, the biosensor 10 may be trapped in between and defects of theequipment may occur. Thus, there is provided a mechanism in which theoperating actuator 13 does not return to the initial position even ifthe push-in operation of the operating actuator 13 is interrupted.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a nail member 68 is provided on the operatingactuator 13, and a latchet 69 at where the nail member 68 is slidablymovable is provided at the inner wall of the body upper case 2.

The nail member 68 is axially supported on the operating actuator 13,and is freely oscillated in the vertical direction to move closer to oraway from the inner wall of the body upper case 2 and in the horizontaldirection along the inner wall, and a part near the distal end thereofis coupled to the operating actuator 13 with a pressing spring 70 and isbiased towards the inner wall.

The latchet 69 is, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, configured in anendless form with a saw-blade cam outward path 71 and a smooth homewardpath 72 formed parallel to each other by way of a cam partition wall 73,and cam resting places 74 a, 74 b for connecting the end part of the camoutward path 71 and the end part of the cam homeward path 72 are formed.

Thus, in the outward path in which the operating actuator 13 is pushedin by a predetermined amount, the distal end of the nail member 68 isarranged in the cam outward path 71, biased upwards by the pressingspring 70 and is slidably moved over the saw-blade latchet surface. Ifthe push-in operation of the operating actuator 13 is stopped midway,the distal end of the nail member 68 is caught at the surface of thesaw-blade cam outward path 71, and the operating actuator 13 is stoppedat such position.

If the operating actuator 13 is pushed in over substantially apredetermined amount, the distal end of the nail member 68 is positionedat the cam resting place 74 a, or a turning position from the camoutward path 71 to the cam homeward path 72. At this point, with regardsto the operating actuator 13, the engagement between the latch body 66and the latch projection 65 is achieved, and the nail member 68positioned at the cam resting place 74 a is not caught in the returningdirection of the operating actuator 13. During the returning operationof the operating actuator 13, the distal end of the nail member 68 isarranged in the cam homeward path 72 and returns to the initial position(cam resting place 74 b) by sliding over a surface with no catchingpart.

A position sensor 75 for detecting that the operating actuator 13 hasreturned to the initial position within a fixed time, and a buzzer 76for warning the user when no detection has been performed by theposition sensor 75 are provided in the vicinity of the operatingactuator 13. The warning is issued to prevent degradation of performancedue to the continuous contact of the non-used biosensor 10 to airbecause during the time the operating actuator 13 is not returned to theinitial position, the biosensor ejecting port 26 of the biosensorcartridge 6 is opened and the non-used biosensor 10 in the cartridgecontinuously contacts the air if the port is left opened.

More specifically, the position sensor 75 is provided at a positioncontacting the projection 13 a of the operating actuator 13 when theoperating actuator 13 is at the initial position, and the time from whenthe operating actuator 13 is pushed in at the start of measurement towhen the operating actuator 13 is returned to the initial position afterthe measurement is finished is measured with a timing means (not shown)inside the device based on the contact/non-contact of the positionsensor 75 and the projection 13 a, and the warning is issued by thebuzzer 76 when the measured value exceeds a predetermined time.

The biosensor dispensing device 1 of the first embodiment is thereforerelatively compact and the user can easily carry and handle the device.

During the test, by pushing in the operating actuator 13, one of aplurality of biosensors 10 within the biosensor cartridge 6 is reliablydischarged and arranged at the test position. At the same time, thenon-used biosensors 10 are sealed in the cartridge 6. The used biosensor10 is discharged from the device by further pushing in the operatingactuator 13.

By manually operating the operation button 19, the information relatedto the test being performed can be provided, the data relating tooccurrence of the biosensor 10 can be acquired, the acquired informationor the stored information can be displayed on the display screen 18 orprovided to other analyzing or computer apparatuses via the data portconnector (not shown).

Therefore, compared to the above-mentioned conventional device loadedwith the biosensor pack, in the device of the present invention, thesetting operation and the discarding operation of the biosensor 10 arereliably carried out and is easy-to-use. Compared to the conventionaldevice installed with the sensor bottle, the device of the presentinvention is made thinner.

Second Embodiment

A biosensor dispensing device according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 13 toFIG. 18. This biosensor dispensing device is used in for example,blood-glucose measurement.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the biosensor dispensing device 101includes a cartridge storing chamber 104 for storing a biosensorcartridge 103 at a central part of a casing 102, and includes abiosensor sending out mechanism 105 and a biosensor conveying mechanism106 on both sides of the cartridge storing chamber 104.

A lock lever 107 for fixing the biosensor cartridge 103 is provided inthe vicinity of the cartridge storing chamber 104. The lock lever 107 isbiased towards the cartridge storing chamber 104 with a lock lever SP107 a. Further, a control mechanism 108 including a printed wiring boardon which a signal processing circuit and a control circuit for operatingthe biosensor sending out mechanism 105, the biosensor conveyingmechanism 106 and the like are formed, a battery electrode, a battery,and a microprocessor and the like is provided.

A sensor ejecting port 102 a is formed in the casing 102, and a notch102 b is formed at a portion corresponding to the cartridge storingchamber 104, through which notch 102 b, the biosensor cartridge 103 isreadily detachable with respect to the cartridge storing chamber 104.

A biosensor cartridge detection SW 109 for detecting thepresence/absence of the biosensor cartridge 103, a set button 110 forthe user to command an operation to the biosensor sending out mechanism105, the biosensor conveying mechanism 106 and the like, and a displaypart 111 for displaying information such as measurement result areprovided on an exterior surface of the casing 102.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the biosensor cartridge 103 includes asensor storing chamber 114 for storing a plurality of biosensors 113stacked one over the other inside the cartridge case 112. Further, asensor send-out means 116 for sending out the biosensor 113 within thesensor storing chamber 114 one by one, and discharging the relativebiosensor from the sensor ejecting port 115 opened in the cartridge case112 is built-in. A concave lock groove 112 a for locking with theabove-mentioned lock lever 107 is formed on the exterior surface of thecartridge case 112.

More specifically, regarding the cartridge case 112, a convex bar 112 bis formed at an opposing interior surface of the case, and one region,with the convex bar 112 b in between, is partitioned to the sensorstoring chamber 114 and a desiccant storing chamber 117 with a partitionwall 118, and a major portion of the sensor send-out means 116 isarranged in the other region.

In the sensor storing chamber 114, the biosensors 113 are stacked on theconvex bar 112 b each faced in the same direction, and is held down by ahold-down plate 119. The hold-down plate 119 includes a guide rib 120slidably contacting the interior surface of the cartridge case 112 andthe partition wall 118, is pressed by a spring 121, and is thus smoothlyand stably movable within the biosensor storing chamber 114.

The biosensor 113 is, similar to the explanation given with reference toFIG. 3, configured by stacking a short upper layer sheet with onerounded end and a long under layer sheet with the above-mentioned oneend aligned, and includes a reagent part (containing enzyme orbiological sensing part) in the vicinity of the above-mentioned one end,which above-mentioned one end communicated to the reagent part with acapillary tube serves as an applying part for applying the sample, andan electrode part extending to the reagent part is provided on anexposed surface of the under layer sheet. The spring 121 is arranged ata position corresponding to a back surface of the hold-down plate 119, aposition more to the left than a step 113 a of the biosensor 113 and onthe upper layer sheet.

The sensor send-out means 116 includes a slider 122 that slides alongthe interior surface of the cartridge case 112. A biosensor guide 123for sending out the biosensor 113, and a slider guide 124 for engagingwith a guide groove 112 c formed along the convex bar 112 b areintegrally formed in the slider 122.

The slider 122 includes a convex part 122 a that fits into a hole 112 dformed in the cartridge case 112 while being pressed by a slider spring125, and when a pushing shaft (hereinafter described) that fits into aconcave part 122 b formed at a center of the convex part 122 a is notprovided, the slider is pushed against the hole 112 d side. Such aposition of the slider 122 is hereinafter referred to as an initialposition.

A slider seal ring 126 made of an elastic material such as EPDM, NBR,silicon and the like for sealing a space formed with the cartridge case112 when the slider 122 is at the initial position 122 is attached tothe convex part 122 a.

A seal plate 127 for opening and closing the sensor ejecting port 115 isattached exterior to the cartridge case 112. The seal plate 127 isfreely rotatable about a supporting shaft 127 a and is pushed by a sealplate spring 128 to close the sensor ejecting port 115 when the slider122 is at the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 15A, a seal ring 129 made of an elastic material suchas EPDM, NBR, silicon and the like pressure welded to the exteriorsurface of the cartridge case 112 around the sensor ejecting port 115 isattached to the seal plate 127. A small projection 112 e for enhancingthe sealability of the seal ring 129 is formed on the exterior surfaceof the cartridge case 112 around the sensor ejecting port 115. It is tobe noted that the seal ring 129 may also be attached on the cartridgecase 112 side.

As also shown in FIG. 15B, the biosensor guide 123 integrally formedwith the slider 122 is configured with an upper guide 123 b and a lowerguide 123 c formed in a step-form so as to include a slit 123 a. Thedimension of the biosensor guide 123 is such that when the slider 122 isat the initial position, a distal end of the lower guide 123 c ispositioned in the vicinity of the biosensor ejecting port 115, thebiosensor 113 is arranged on the lower guide 123 c more inward than thedistal end, and the slit 123 a of the upper guide 123 b is faced againstthe rear end of the under layer sheet of the biosensor 113 at the bottomlayer. Thus, when discharging the biosensor 113, the upper guide 123 bholds the under layer sheet of the biosensor 113 in the slit 123 a andreliably pushes the biosensor, and the lower guide 123 c protects thefront end of the biosensor 113.

In the desiccant storing chamber 117, by arranging a divider 130 inmulti-stages, a meandering air flow path 131 connecting to an opening118 a communicated to the biosensor storing chamber 114 is formed anddesiccants 132 are filled in the air flow path 131. The desiccant 132 ismolded and housed in a preferable shape that corresponds to the shape ofthe desiccant storing chamber 117, that is, to a granular having anouter diameter corresponding to the width of the air flow path 131.

The desiccant 132 is provided to absorb the moisture within thecartridge case 112 and maintain each biosensor 113 in a dry state. Themoisture absorption capability of the desiccant 132 is normally high inthe initial stage and then gradually saturates, and thus by storing thedesiccants 132 along the meandering air flow path 131, the dryingcapability is exhibited sequentially from the desiccant 132 located atthe inflow end of the air flow path 131 to the desiccant 132 located atthe outflow end, and the drying capability can be effectively exhibitedover a long period of time. Further, by having the shape of thedesiccant 132 correspond to the shape of the desiccant storing chamber117, the space of the desiccant storing chamber 117 can be effectivelyused, and handling of the desiccant 132 of when assembling the biosensorcartridge 103 becomes facilitated.

As described above, the biosensor cartridge 103 suitably stores thedesiccant 132 and when the biosensor 113 is not being discharged, thesensor ejecting port 115 and the hole 112 d of the cartridge case 112are sealed, thus blocking the inside of the cartridge case 112 fromoutside air. Thus, degradation in the performance of the biosensor 113due to moisture can be suppressed. This effect is obtained irrespectiveof whether the biosensor cartridge 103 is installed in the biosensordispensing device 101 or is removed from the biosensor dispensing device101.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the biosensor sending out mechanism 105 forsending out the biosensor 113 from the biosensor cartridge 103.

The biosensor sending out mechanism 105 includes a sensor pushing shaft113 and a shaft driving motor 135 for driving the sensor pushing shaft133 through a shaft gear 134. A bottom case 102 a forms the casing 102in combination with a top case.

More specifically, the sensor pushing shaft 133 includes a spiral groove133 a formed on an outer periphery surface thereof so as to encircle theshaft center, and a tapered distal end 133 b that fits into the concavepart 122 b of the slider 122 within the biosensor cartridge 103, and isinserted through the shaft gear 134 formed with a pin 134 a thatslidably engages the spiral groove 133 a.

The shaft driving motor 135 gears with the shaft gear 134 with a motorgear 135 a attached to the shaft of the shaft driving motor 135, and thereciprocal rotation of the shaft gear 134 causes the sensor pushingshaft 133 to exit, thus sliding the slider 122.

A shaft regulating knob 136 including a regulating rib 136 a and ablocking rib 136 b is attached to the rear end of the sensor pushingshaft 133.

A regulating rib guide 137 is arranged facing the bottom case 102 a andthe top case so as to sandwich the regulating rib 136 a, and performsrotation regulation of the sensor pushing shaft 133 and guiding duringthe sliding operation.

Position detection sensors 138 and 139 each includes a light-emittingphotosensor and a light-receiving photosensor interior to a slit throughwhere the blocking rib 136 b passes, and is arranged with a distance inbetween along the sensor pushing shaft 133, and with regards to thesensor pushing shaft 133, detects a home position at where the blockingrib 136 b enters the position detection sensor 138 and a push-outposition at where the blocking rib 136 b enters the position detectionsensor 139.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a conveying mechanism 106 for conveying thebiosensor 113 discharged from the biosensor cartridge 103 to apredetermined test position.

The conveying mechanism 106 includes conveying rollers 140, 141 forconveying the biosensor 113, and a conveying motor 143 for rotating theconveying rollers 140, 141 through a reduction gear 142 of two-stagegear configuration. The conveying motor 143 gears with a worm wheel 142a of the reduction gear 142 with a worm 143 a.

The conveying roller 140 is made of an elastic material, is attached toa conveying roller shaft 140 b with a conveying roller gear 140 a gearedwith the reduction gear 142, is arranged in the vicinity of the sensorejecting port 115, is rotated by the conveying motor 143 and thereduction gear 142, and sandwiches and sends out the biosensor 113discharged from the sensor ejecting port 115 with the biosensor guide123 of the slider pressed by the seal plate 127.

The conveying roller 141 is made of an elastic material, is attached toa conveying roller shaft 141 b with the conveying roller gear 141 ageared with the reduction gear 142, and is arranged in the vicinity ofthe conveying roller 140. A driven roller 144 attached to a drivenroller shaft 144 a is pushed against the conveying roller 141 by adriven roller compressing spring 144 b. Thus, the conveying roller 141is rotated by the conveying motor 143 and the reduction gear 142, andsandwiches and discharges the biosensor 113 sent out by the conveyingroller 140 with the driven roller 144.

A biosensor detection SW 145 for detecting the position of the biosensor113 is arranged along the conveying path from the conveying roller 140to the conveying roller 141. The biosensor detection SW 145 includes aturnable detection knob 145 a, and is switched when the biosensor 113starts sliding over the detection knob 145 a and when the biosensor 113finishes sliding. An electrode arm 146 for contacting the electrode partof the biosensor 113 and transmitting the electrical signal to theelectrical circuit is also arranged on the conveying path.

A sequence of operations of the biosensor dispensing device 101 and thebiosensor cartridge 103 will now be described with further reference toa timing chart of FIG. 18.

When the biosensor dispensing device 101 is not operated, the sensorpushing shaft 133 is stopped at the home position, and thus has noinfluence on the detachment of the biosensor cartridge 103.

When the biosensor cartridge 103 is installed in the cartridge storingchamber 104, the lock lever 107 enters the lock groove 112 a of thecartridge case 112 and locks the biosensor cartridge 103, while thebiosensor cartridge detection SW 109 detects the presence of thebiosensor cartridge 103 and measurement becomes possible.

When the set button 110 is turned ON, the shaft driving motor 135rotates in the counterclockwise direction when seen from the outputshaft, thus rotating the shaft gear 134 in the clockwise direction, andadvances the sensor pushing shaft 133 towards the biosensor cartridge133.

The sensor pushing shaft 133 slides the slider 122 against the sliderspring 125, and the sensor lower guide 123 c integrated with the slider122 pushes the seal plate 127 and opens the biosensor ejecting port 115,while the sensor upper guide 123 b pushes the biosensor 113 out of thebiosensor ejecting port 115.

After the sensor pushing shaft 133 reaches the push-out position, theshaft driving motor 135 is stopped, and the sensor pushing shaft 133 andthe slider 122 also come to a rest. The push-out position is set at aposition at where the front end of the biosensor 113 projected out ofthe biosensor ejecting port 115 by the sensor pushing shaft 133 and theslider 122 overlaps the conveying roller 140. Thus, the pushed outbiosensor 113 is held between the seal plate 127 pushed by the sealplate spring 128 and the conveying roller 140 while bearing on the lowerguide 123 c.

With the stopping of the shaft driving motor 135, the conveying motor143 is activated, the reduction gear 142 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction, and the conveying roller 140 and theconveying roller 141 are rotated in the clockwise direction, thusconveying the biosensor 113. The conveying motor 143 may be activated atthe start of driving the shaft driving motor 135 or after a slight timedelay. After the biosensor 113 passes over the detection knob 145 a ofthe biosensor detection SW 145, the conveying motor 143 is stopped.

As a result, the biosensor 113 is sandwiched between the conveyingroller 141 and the driven roller 144, and the applying part at the frontend is arranged at a predetermined test position exposed from the sensorejecting port 102 a of the casing 102. Further, the electrode arm 146electrically contacts the electrode pattern of the biosensor 113 andmeasurement becomes possible.

On the other hand, after the finish of passing of the biosensor 113 isdetected by the biosensor detection SW 145, the shaft driving motor 135is counter-rotated, thus backing the sensor pushing shaft 133, and atthe time the pushing shaft 133 reaches the home position, the shaftdriving motor 135 is stopped and the sensor pushing shaft 133 comes to arest.

Further, the slider 122, pushed by the sensor pushing shaft 133, returnsto the initial position by the slider spring 125, and the slider sealring 126 seals between the slider 122 and the cartridge case 112.

The seal plate 127 pushed by the slider 122 is turned by the seal platespring 128 and closes the sensor ejecting port 115, and the seal ring129 attached to the seal plate 127 seals between the seal plate 127 andthe cartridge case 112.

When blood is applied to the applying part of the biosensor 113 arrangedat the test position, the blood is drawn to the reagent part through thecapillary tube, the blood-glucose or a measuring object componentchemically reacts with the reagent, and the electrical signalcorresponding to the blood-glucose level is sent to the signalprocessing circuit through the electrode pattern and the electrode arm146. When set by the user, the information is displayed on the displaypart 111.

When the set button 110 is turned ON again after the measurement isfinished, the conveying motor 143 is activated, thus rotating thereduction gear 142 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby rotatingthe conveying roller 141 in the clockwise direction and the biosensor113 sandwiched between the conveying roller 141 and the driven roller144 is further conveyed and is discharged out of the casing 102.

As described above, the biosensor dispensing device 101 of the secondembodiment has a simple configuration with the biosensor cartridgestoring chamber 104, the biosensor sending out mechanism 105, and thebiosensor conveying mechanism 106 lined in a straight line, and isrelatively compact, and thus the user can easily carry and handle thedevice.

With regards to the test, with the biosensor cartridge 103 installed,the biosensor 113 is set to the test position one by one with a simpleoperation, and after the test is finished, is discharged out of thedevice.

Further, information related to the test being performed may be given,data for occurrence of the biosensor 113 may be acquired, and theacquired information or the stored information may be displayed on thedisplay part 111, or may be supplied to other analyzing or computerapparatuses via the data port connector (not shown).

The biosensor cartridge 103 stores a great number of biosensors 113along with the desiccants 132 and the like, and alone ensuressealability, and thus has high reliability, is easily handled, and ismade thinner.

Therefore, compared to the above-mentioned conventional device loadedwith the biosensor pack, the setting operation and the discardingoperation of the biosensor 10 are reliably performed and the device ismore easy to use. Further, compared to the conventional device installedwith the sensor bottle, the device is made thinner.

It is to be noted that the first embodiment and the second embodimentdescribed herein are only illustrative and should not limit the scope ofthe invention. For example, the biosensor dispensing devices 1, 101 mayalso be used, in addition to the above-mentioned blood-glucose test, intesting various types of fluid that can be analyzed using the reagentmaterial.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the biosensor cartridge of the present invention isa type in which the biosensors are stacked one over the-other, and thusa great number of biosensors can be stored therein, but can still bemade compact and be easily handled. Further, since sealability andmoisture-proof effect are high, even if a certain number of days arerequired to consume all the biosensors, the performance thereof is notdegraded and the reliability is high.

Further, the biosensor dispensing device of the present inventioninstalls the biosensor cartridge therein, and in cooperation with thebiosensor cartridge, sets the biosensor in a test state one by one witha simple operation, and discharges the biosensor out of the device afterthe test is finished. A thinner and a smaller device complying with thebiosensor cartridge is obtained.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A biosensor dispensing device comprising: abiosensor cartridge for storing a stacked plurality of biosensors, thebiosensor cartridge comprising: a sensor ejecting port; a sensorejecting means for ejecting a biosensor from the biosensor cartridge viathe sensor ejecting port, the sensor ejecting means located in thebiosensor cartridge, the sensor ejecting port located in a wall of thebiosensor cartridge facing tips of the biosensors, wherein the sensorejecting port is closed except when the biosensors are being ejected; abiosensor dispensing device body comprising: a cartridge storing chamberfor detachably holding the biosensor cartridge; a sensor sending outmechanism for driving the sensor ejecting means in the biosensorcartridge; a sensor conveying mechanism for conveying an ejectedbiosensor from the sensor ejecting port to a predetermined testposition; and an operating part outside the device body, for theoperating the sensor sending out mechanism, thereby ejecting a biosensorfrom the sensor ejecting port, wherein the biosensor ejecting meanscomprises a sliding member for pushing a rear end of a stackedbiosensor, and the sensor sending out mechanism comprises a pushingmember for pushing and sliding the sliding member.
 2. The biosensordispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising sensorconducting means for connecting electrodes on a biosensor in such testposition, and for transmitting electrical data from such biosensor to anelectrical circuit within the device body.
 3. The biosensor dispensingdevice according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit on anexterior surface of the device body for receiving electrical data fromthe electrical circuit corresponding to such electrical data from thebiosensor, and for displaying the data from the electrical circuit. 4.The biosensor dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein theoperating part is moveable into the device body, such that when theoperating part is moved into the device body, the biosensor is ejectedfrom the cartridge, conveyed to the test position and electricallyconnected to an electrical circuit within the device body, therebyentering a test state.
 5. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 4, wherein a power source of the body is driven when the biosensoris in the test position.
 6. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 4, wherein the biosensor is ejected out of the device body afterthe operating part is moved into the device body.
 7. The biosensordispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the operating part isfor electrically operating the sensor sending out mechanism.
 8. Thebiosensor dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the biosensorcartridge includes a seal plate for opening the sensor ejecting portonly when ejecting a biosensor and closing such sensor ejecting portonce such biosensor has been ejected.
 9. The biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the pushing member of the sensor sendingout mechanism is biased towards the sliding member of the biosensorcartridge and includes detection means for detecting an operation strokeof the pushing member.
 10. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 7, further comprising detection means for detecting a position ofa biosensor in such test position.
 11. The biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the sensor sending out mechanism and thesensor conveying mechanism are independently operable.
 12. A biosensordispensing device comprising: A biosensor dispensing device comprising:a biosensor cartridge for storing a stacked plurality of biosensors, thebiosensor cartridge comprising; a sensor ejecting port; a sensorejecting means for ejecting a biosensor from the biosensor cartridge viathe sensor ejecting port, the sensor ejecting means located in thebiosensor cartridge, the sensor ejecting port located in a wall of thebiosensor cartridge facing tips of the biosensors, wherein the sensorejecting port is closed except when the biosensors are being ejected; abiosensor dispensing device body comprising; a cartridge storing chamberfor detachably holding the biosensor cartridge; a sensor sending outmechanism for driving the sensor ejecting means in the biosensorcartridge; a sensor conveying mechanism for conveying an ejectedbiosensor from the sensor ejecting port to a predetermined testposition; and an operating part outside the device body, for theoperating the sensor sending out mechanism, thereby ejecting a biosensorfrom the sensor ejecting port, wherein the sensor ejecting means for thebiosensor cartridge comprise a cylindrical rotating member and a slidingmember that slides with a rotation of the rotating member, such thatwhen the rotating member rotates, the sliding member to pushes a rearend of a biosensor, the sensor sending out mechanism includes a rotatingmeans for rotating the cylindrical rotating member of the biosensorcartridge, and the operating part is movable into the device body with aforefinger of a hand gripping a bottom portion of an outside surface ofthe device body.
 13. The biosensor dispensing device according to claim12, wherein the operating part is biased to exit the device body, andthe operating part is movable into the device body, to actuate thedriving mechanism.
 14. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 13, wherein the sensor sending out mechanism drives the sensorejecting means which ejects a biosensor in a direction opposite adirection of pushing the operating part into the device body to actuatethe sensor sending out mechanism.
 15. The biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to claim 12, further comprising valve means for opening andclosing the sensor ejecting port for the biosensor cartridge.
 16. Thebiosensor dispensing device according to claim 15, wherein the valvemeans is a roller rolling over an exterior surface of the biosensorcartridge.
 17. The biosensor dispensing device according to claim 15,further comprising sensor conducting means, wherein the sensorconducting means and the valve means are gear-coupled to the sensorsending out mechanism.
 18. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 17, wherein the sensor conducting means are for connecting toelectrodes on a biosensor in the test position, and for transmittingelectrical data from such a biosensor to an electrical circuit withinthe device body, and connecting members, supported by the device body,connect at one end to the sensor conducting means and the valve means,respectively, and connect at the other end to a cam on the operatingpart, said cam for holding and turning the other end of each connectingmember.
 19. The biosensor dispensing device according to claim 12,further comprising a cartridge holding mechanism for securing thebiosensor cartridge when the operating part is not fully extendedoutside the device body.
 20. The biosensor dispensing device accordingto claim 19, wherein the cartridge holding mechanism is gear-coupled tothe operating part.
 21. The biosensor dispensing device according toclaim 13, further comprising detection means for detecting a return ofthe operating part to a fully extended position outside the device body.22. The biosensor dispensing device according to claim 21, wherein thedetection means detect a contact with a member of the operating part.23. The biosensor dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein thesensor sending out mechanism includes connection switching means forconnecting or releasing connection of the sensor sending out mechanismwith the sensor ejection means corresponding to a closed or open state,respectively, of a lid body of the cartridge storing chamber.
 24. Thebiosensor dispensing device according to claim 12, further comprising: anail member on the operating part, said nail member having a distal endthat is able to oscillate; a sliding path in an inner wall of the devicebody, for receiving the distal end of the nail member, and a saw-bladeconcavo-convex part for locking the distal end of the nail member andfor fixing the operating part in position when the operating part isstopped on the sliding path.
 25. The biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to claim 24, wherein the sliding part is configured in aloop-form comprising an outward path on which the distal end of the nailmember slides when the operating part is moved into the device body anda homeward path on which the distal end of the nail member slides whenthe operating part is extended outside the device body, and thesaw-blade concavo-convex part is located on the outward path.
 26. Thebiosensor dispensing device according to claim 12, further comprising alatch mechanism for locking the operating part in place when thebiosensor is in such test position.
 27. The biosensor dispensing deviceaccording to claim 26, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a latchprojection on the operating part and a latch body part in the devicebody for locking the latch projection.